Wrtten by Dai Qian/Photographed by Xu Jiechen

The first phase of the Yangshan Deep-water Port began operation on December 10, and Mr. Tom Behrens-Sorensen, Chief Executive of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group in the Greater China Area, flew to Shanghai from Beijing to attend the inaugural ceremony at the invitation of the Shanghai Municipal Government. Maersk, the largest container shipping company in the world, was a key member of a group of sponsors comprising major multinationals that supported Shanghai’s bid to host the Expo 2010 three years ago, and the company is now quite concerned with the city’s preparation work ahead of the exhibition gala, aiming to make further contributions to the Shanghai World Expo. Mr. Behrens-Sorensen spoke to our correspondent about the company’s passion to serve the Shanghai World Expo shortly after the conclusion of the inaugural ceremony of the Yangshan Port.

Q: Maersk supported Shanghai’s bid for the Expo 2010 as a member of the sponsors consisting of multinational firms. Tell us why the company is so interested in Shanghai’s bid to host the exhibition gala.

A: When we first came to China to launch business, one of our key missions is to be a good corporate citizen in the country. We have actively participated in various social charity programs to fulfill our promise of being good corporate citizens. We think that it is China’s turn to host the World Expo. Shanghai is China’s financial, trade and shipping hub, and our operation in the city has been quite successful, so it was quite natural for us to show our concern and to give our support to the city’s bid for the Expo 2010. It seems quite natural for us to support the city whether during the bidding or the preparatory periods.

Q: The city will soon extend exhibition invitations for the Expo Shanghai, how will Maersk participate?

A: Not long ago, my colleagues contacted the Shanghai World Expo Bureau and the World Expo Group, asking what our company can do for the Shanghai World Expo. As the organizing committee of the Shanghai World Expo has yet to unveil detailed plans and rules for the participation in the event, it is still too early for us to give our opinions at this time, but one thing is for sure: we will try our best to make contributions to the Shanghai World Expo, no matter when, how and in what forms, and I believe that we can find the proper way and method to cooperate with the Shanghai World Expo.

Q: It seems that Maersk always keeps a low profile, as we seldom see any commercials of your company. But actually the company has participated in many social charity programs in china. Is this the corporate culture that your company has been upholding?

A: Good question. It is indeed the corporate culture of Maersk Group. We endeavor to be a good corporate citizen and to give returns to the society. It is true that we have taken part in some charity programs, but it is not our practice to publicize them just because they are good deeds.

Modesty is one of the corporate values of our company, and it is also a kind of attitudes and styles for us. But being modest does not mean that we are not aggressive in our business. There is a saying in our company: to be the best in all we do!

Q: Maersk launched its business in China without being forced to find a local partner to set up a joint venture; does this mean that the company has maintained a fairly good relationship with the Chinese government? If so, on what basis has your company built up this kind of sound relationships?

A: Maersk’s root is in Demark, which has always maintained a good relationship with China. The peaceful and friendly Sino-Demark relationship has provided a good platform for us to launch business in China.

Credit is part of the corporate values of our group. We want to be integrated into the society, being good corporate citizens. The Chinese government knows us quite well, and they know what we want to do in China and for China. We think our sound relationship is built upon the foundation of mutual beneficiary and trust.

We kept asking ourselves what we could do for China when we made the decision to enter the Chinese market. We take into account China’s growth strategy when we formulate our corporate development strategy. For example, following the“Go-West”and“Reinvigorating the northeaster rust belt”policy of the central government, we have been actively expanding our operations in some western provinces of China, including the development of the so-called“Golden waterway”of Yangtze River and logistics in western China in an effort to bring good international experience to the Chinese hinterland. Another example is that we are the biggest foreign buyer of ships manufactured in China and we have ordered over 60 large freighters from China since 1996, which are worth of more than two billion US dollars.

Q:the Greater China area, so could you tell us your comment on this? What is your company’s plan for the future development in China?

A: The future of the Yangshan Port is hard to estimate. Maersk will not only be an investor for the Yangshan Port, but also will be involved in the management and operation of the port.

Q: Tell us your aspirations for life?

A: My aspirations for life are closely linked to the development of the business of the group and China. Yangshan Port was once one of my dreams; in addition, my company and I still have another dream, that is, to make contributions for the development of the western part of China.

Pictures in this story:

1. Mr. Tom Behrens-Sorensen speaking to our correspondent.

2. Marsky’s shipping business.

3. Marsky’s port management and operations.

4. Marsky’s warehousing & logistics operations.